Air pillow

ABSTRACT

An improved air pillow comprising three separately-inflated, wedge-shaped air-bladders structured and arranged to be stacked one atop the other, such that users can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/547,878, filed Aug. 21, 2017 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of pillow devices and more specifically relates to an improved air pillow comprising three separately-inflated, wedge-shaped air-bladders structured and arranged to be stacked one atop the other, such that users can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nothing is so good for what ails us as a good night's sleep, but for an increasing number of Americans, a good night's sleep is hard to get. So hard to get, reportedly, that sleep problems have become the number one health-related problem in the United States. According to a recent study by the National Commission on Sleep Disorders, sleep deprivation costs the American economy $150 billion each year in higher stress and reduced worker productivity; and according to a CNN poll of medical professionals, sleep problems nationwide have reached epidemic proportions. Lack of sleep leads to health problems including fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, a shortened lifespan, suppressed immune systems and depression; and recent studies implicate sleep deprivation in diabetes. We sleep an average of 6.5 hours per night, almost an hour less now than a few decades ago. According to the National Sleep Foundation's Annual Sleep Survey, almost 74 percent of all Americans do not get enough sleep, and upwards of one in three adults has trouble sleeping every single night.

In the effort to get ourselves a good night's sleep, we can employ a wide variety of techniques, from drinking warm milk before bed to getting more exercise during the day, to taking nutritional supplements, meditating, staying up until the yawns absolutely overtake us, listening to soothing music at bedtime, taking over-the-counter or prescription sleeping pills. All of these remedies, and many more, work—for some of the people, some of the time. But few are those who sleep well and straight through the night, every night. The rest of us, it seems, are doomed to toss and turn, get up for a drink of water or an old movie on

TV and go back to bed, only to toss and turn and stare helplessly at the ceiling as the bedside clock ticks off the lonely dark minutes of another endless night. For many, the tossing and turning go on until daybreak and the alarm clock's strident call, and the beginning of another weary day. Therefore, a need exists for an adjustable pillow that can be used under the head and neck, the lower back, between the legs, or under the side or stomach.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in pillow device art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,219 to Janet H. Roberts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,614 to James A. Harper; U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,822 to Bryan J. Kelly; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,552 to Robert R. Duncan. This prior art is representative of pillows that are inflatable separate air chambers that can be adjusted by the person using it.

Ideally, an improved air pillow should be user-friendly and safe in-use and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for an improved air pillow comprising three separately-inflated, wedge-shaped air-bladders structured and arranged to be stacked one atop the other, such that users can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known of pillow device art, the present invention provides a novel Improved Pillow System. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an improved air pillow comprising three separately-inflated, wedge-shaped air-bladders structured and arranged to be stacked one atop the other, such that users can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs.

An improved air pillow comprising: an inflatable main body including: a plurality of air bladders and an electric valve including a valve stem, an electric pump, and a power source. Wherein each of the plurality of air bladders are wedge-shaped. Wherein each of the plurality of air bladders are adapted to allow air to move into an adjacent air bladder when fully inflated. Wherein the plurality of air bladders are stacked one on top of the other, such that they are adapted to be filled with air one at a time to thereby adjust the angle and depth of the improved air pillow with respect to a supporting surface.

Wherein the electric pump is connected to the valve stem and adapted to force air within or remove air from the plurality of air bladders. Wherein the power source is electrically connected to the electric pump. Wherein the electric valve is attached to one of the plurality of air bladders and is adapted to allow air to be forced within or removed from the plurality of air bladders.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an Improved Air Pillow. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, an Improved Air Pillow Device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a top cushion of an Improved Air Pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom air bladder inflated of the Improved Air Pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom air bladder and a middle air bladder inflated of the Improved Air Pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating three air bladders all inflated via a power source formed as a battery member of the Improved Air Pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the three air bladders all inflated via the power source formed as an electric power cord adapted to be releasably connected to an external power source of the Improved Air Pillow. according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pillow device and more particularly to an improved air pillow comprising three separately-inflated, wedge-shaped air-bladders structured and arranged to be stacked one atop the other, such that users can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs.

Generally speaking, the Improved Air Pillow comprising a novel product offering consumers a practical solution to the aforementioned challenges. As the name implies, the Improved Air Pillow comprises a specially designed inflatable, wedge-shaped pillow, adjustable in angle and depth and designed to provide adjustable support and comfort wherever needed.

The Improved Air Pillow would be fabricated in a smooth, flexible plastic, with a soft fabric, washable cover. The pillow measures 35 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 35 inches in maximum depth. As mentioned, the Improved Air Pillow is comprised of three main wedge-shaped air bladders stacked one atop the other, such that the user can inflate one, two, or all three bladders, thus adjusting the angle and depth of the pillow to their own needs. The pillow has one electric pump and valve, like those of an air-mattress. The top surface is contoured for ergonomic support and cushioning; and, if used in a partially-inflated state, the lower air-bladder(s) would be inflated first, and the upper air bladder(s) last.

The great advantages of the Improved Air Pillow are, first, its versatility, and second, its adjustability. In terms of versatility, the Improved Air Pillow could be used to support the neck and head, to separate the legs, to support the lower-back or upper abdomen or side. In terms of adjustability, the Improved Air Pillow can provide, in its fully inflated state, an angle of lift of nearly 90 degrees, or—in a partially-inflated state—a much more level support. Add to these the convenience of having a pillow that deflates into a compact, roll-up package for travel or storage, and the benefits of the Improved Air Pillow design are even more apparent.

Clever in conception and thoughtful in design, the Improved Air Pillow would also be eminently affordable in price, making this inflatable pillow the ideal choice for a wide variety of household consumers, especially those plagued with problems in getting a good night's sleep, both within America and around the world. The Improved Air Pillow is cost-effective to produce in the embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, perspective views illustrating improved air pillow 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Improved air pillow 100 comprising: inflatable main body 110 including: plurality of air bladders 120 and electric valve 170 including valve stem 174, electric pump 180, and power source 190. Wherein each of plurality of air bladders 120 are wedge-shaped. Wherein each of plurality of air bladders 120 are adapted to allow air to move into an adjacent air bladder when fully inflated. Wherein plurality of air bladders 120 are stacked one on top of the other, such that they are adapted to be filled with air one at a time to thereby adjust the angle and depth of the improved air pillow 100 with respect to a supporting surface. Wherein improved air pillow 100 is formed having dimensions including 35 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 35 inches in maximum depth. Improved air pillow 100, further comprising cover member 200 adapted to surround inflatable main body 110 as shown in FIG. 2. Wherein cover member 200 is formed from a soft material. Wherein the soft material is chosen from a list of soft materials consisting of nylon, fleece, and cotton.

Wherein there are three air bladders 124. Wherein three air bladders are configured such that bottom one 130 of three air bladders 124 is inflated first as shown in FIG. 2, then middle air bladder 140 of three air bladders 124 is inflated secondly as show in FIG. 3, then top air bladder 150 of three air bladders 124 is inflated last as show in FIG. 4. Wherein plurality of air bladders 120 are formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of plastic and rubber. Wherein plurality of air bladders 120 are adapted such that the angle of an inflated wedge shape of main body 120 has an angle between 10 degrees as shown in FIG. 1 to and 85 degrees as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4.

Improved air pillow 100, further comprising top cushion 160 attached to a top surface of top air bladder 150 of plurality of air bladders 120 and contoured for ergonomic support and cushioning. Wherein top cushion 160 includes panel portion 162 and head support 166. Wherein panel portion 162 has a thickness and includes series of spaced elongated ridges 164. Wherein head support 166 is attached to an edge section of panel portion 162. Wherein head portion 166 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the panel portion. Wherein head support 166 has a curved cross-section.

Wherein electric pump 180 is connected to valve stem 174 and adapted to force air within or remove air from plurality of air bladders 120. Wherein power source 190 is electrically connected to electric pump 180. Wherein power source 190 is formed battery member 400 as shown in FIG. 4. Wherein battery member 400 is rechargeable. Wherein power source 190 is formed as electric power cord 500 adapted to be releasably connected to an external power source as shown in FIG. 5. Wherein electric valve 170 is attached to one of plurality of air bladders 120 and is adapted to allow air to be forced within or removed from plurality of air bladders 120. Improved air pillow 100, further comprising manual valve 154 attached to top air bladder 150 of plurality of air bladders 120, including valve stem 156. Wherein valve stem 156 is adapted to allow air to be forced within or removed from plurality of air bladders 120.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved air pillow comprising: an inflatable main body including: a plurality of air bladders; wherein each of said plurality of air bladders are wedge-shaped; wherein each of said plurality of air bladders are adapted to allow air to move into an adjacent air bladder when fully inflated; and wherein said plurality of air bladders are stacked one on top of the other, such that they are adapted to be filled with air one at a time to thereby adjust the angle and depth of said improved air pillow with respect to a supporting surface; and an electric valve including: a valve stem; an electric pump; wherein said electric pump is connected to said valve stem and adapted to force air within or remove air from said plurality of air bladders; and a power source; wherein said power source is electrically connected to said electric pump; wherein said electric valve is attached to one of said plurality of air bladders and is adapted to allow air to be forced within or removed from said plurality of air bladders.
 2. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein there are three said air bladders.
 3. The improved air pillow of claim 1, further comprising a top cushion attached to a top surface of a top one of said plurality of air bladders and contoured for ergonomic support and cushioning.
 4. The improved air pillow of claim 3, wherein said top cushion includes: a panel portion; wherein said panel portion has a thickness and includes a series of spaced elongated ridges thereon; and a head support; wherein said head support is attached to an edge section of said panel portion; and wherein said head portion has a thickness greater than said thickness of said panel portion.
 5. The improved air pillow of claim 4, wherein said head support has a curved cross-section.
 6. The improved air pillow of claim 1, further comprising a manual valve attached to a top one of said plurality of air bladders, including: a valve stem; wherein said valve stem is adapted to allow air to be forced within or removed from said plurality of air bladders.
 7. The improved air pillow of claim 2, wherein said three air bladders are configured such that a bottom one of said three air bladders is inflated first, then a middle one of said three air bladders is inflated secondly, then a top one of said three air bladders is inflated last.
 8. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said power source is formed as a battery member.
 9. The improved air pillow of claim 8, wherein said battery member is rechargeable.
 10. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said power source is formed as an electric power cord adapted to be releasably connected to an external power source.
 11. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of air bladders are formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of plastic and rubber.
 12. The improved air pillow of claim 1, further comprising a cover member adapted to surround said inflatable main body.
 13. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said cover member is formed from a soft material.
 14. The improved air pillow of claim 13, wherein said soft material is chosen from a list of soft materials consisting of nylon, fleece, and cotton.
 15. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said improved air pillow is formed having dimensions including 35 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 35 inches in maximum depth.
 16. The improved air pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of air bladders are adapted such that the angle of an inflated wedge shape of said main body has an angle between 10 degrees and 85 degrees. 